Early chevrolet in desert war

[serge]

hello KUNO

After reading your post , I note that the replica is in France and not in the IWM.

[Kuno]

I would like to see a hoto of the sun-compass, please :-)

[Lynn Eades]

Here is a picture

[Kuno]

Thanks Lynn. But this compass is mounted on a Jeep. I am looking for the one fixed on the French replica-Chevrolet.

I have a particular interest since I kept myself busy for quite some time with this type of sun-compass.

[serge]

Hello TONY

I went at the garage to see the wheels of replica CHEVROLET WB . The dimension tyres are 12.50 X 16. Next time I will send the pic of solar compass actualy dismounted for fear of steal.
On the side of the tyre we can read GOODYEAR MILITARY OZ.
Actualy the truck in the garage of our association (MVCG PARIS) and the owner in WEST of FRANCE. I will ask where he found these tyres.

[serge]

Hello KUNO

I went at the garage and take some pic of the compas. On the CHEVROLET WB replica, the first one is mounted (when its owner is here) and I believe that it's also a replica.
The second , smallest ,is used on an other vehicle (a replica of an unbelivable car use for a movie (un taxi poiur TOBROUK). One guy told me that it was original and used by crew of bomber in case of crash in the aim to return in Great Britain.

Best regards Serge

[Kuno]

Meci, Serge;

The sun-compass with the bigger shadow plate is a Howards Mk.II. It is definitely not WWII but much later - you can find such compass occassionaly "in the Bay" but quite ften it comes without the handle and the style. As far as I know the LRDG did not use the Howard sun-compass (in WWII it would have been the Mk.I).

The smaller one is the Bagnold Sun-Compass. This is THE LRDG compass. Howver - it was definitely not used by Bomber crews but only by the LRDG, SAS, SDF and by the Egyptian army. (As far as I can see, the compass you have on your vehicle is one of Dominic Kaukas' replicas).

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by serge

Hello TONY

I went at the garage to see the wheels of replica CHEVROLET WB . The dimension tyres are 12.50 X 16. Next time I will send the pic of solar compass actualy dismounted for fear of steal.
On the side of the tyre we can read GOODYEAR MILITARY OZ.
Actualy the truck in the garage of our association (MVCG PARIS) and the owner in WEST of FRANCE. I will ask where he found these tyres.

Great work Serge - thanks for getting back to me. On closer inspection of your photo's....it appears those rims may be a modified 16 inch Blitz (CMP) rim.

I think I can see telltales of ground off studs in the pictures......

Like to know where he found the tyres. Your next post should be very interesting Serge

[serge]

Hello TONY

I have had a call phone from the owner of the replica and I ask him information about the wheels and the tires.
You were right : the rear wheel comes from a canadian wheel (I think F15, F15A,C15,C15A, DODGE T110 D60 L5 or even british truck like BEDFORD MWD had the same wheels with 8 nuts) but some modificatons have been done. The center of the wheel was cut and a metalic disc was welded with 10 holes to match with the screws of the drum. I don't know the original truck used to build the replica and I wonder to see it (or it's remain) because the only CHEVROLET (that I know) with a wheel with 10 holes were CC60L truck (MODIFIED CONVENTIONNAL PATTERN) used in desert war with single wheel at the rear and a EATON differential with two speeds like DODGE T110D60L5 or FC60L).
I have a pic of this truck (founded on mapleleaf forum some year ago).
For an unknowed reason the wheels is mounted in the opposite direction (nut to fix the two parts in the inner).

I hope to meet him in one week and spoke with him in front of the truck.
About the tire he told me that the tires are the tires of HUMER H1. I am amazing because on web site the tires of HUMER H1 are 37.5X12.5X16.5 LT and on the tire we don't read these information.

About front wheels it's a mystery and he was unable to give accurate informations.
As soon I meet hime I will send to you an other post

Best regards Serge